UPDATE: 114 named in drug round-up indictment in Claiborne Co.

CLAIBORNE COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) -- It's being called the largest drug round-up to ever take place in East Tennessee.

One Hundred and fourteen people are named in an indictment on drug-related sales or trafficking illegal narcotics, as part of "Operation Cooperation" in Claiborne County.

“These individuals, most of them are making trips to Florida and bringing the drugs back here and reselling them," said Claiborne County Sheriff David Ray.

Some of the drugs include crack, marijuana, mushrooms, meth and prescription pills, including Hydrocodone and Oxycodone. Sheriff Ray told Volunteer TV News on Monday that overdoses on prescription pills like Oxycodone and Xanax are killing about one Claiborne County resident every two weeks.

“We've lost a generation of youngsters on these pain killers,” said Sheriff Ray. “We're going to put a stop to that. We're going to work continuously as we have for the last three and a half years."

The sheriff’s office said the indictments were part of a four-year, ongoing investigation by several agencies.

54 people had been arrested by Monday evening. Bonds for all of the suspects were pre-set at $10,000 and up, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- It's being called the largest drug round-up to ever take place in East Tennessee.

One Hundred and fourteen people are named in an indictment on drug-related sales or trafficking illegal narcotics, as part of "Operation Cooperation" in Claiborne County.

Some of the drugs include crack, marijuana, mushrooms, meth and prescription pills, including Hydrocodone and Oxycodone.

Sheriff David Ray says it's part of a four-year, ongoing investigation by several agencies.

As of 10:30 Monday morning, 24 people had been arrested.

Bonds for all of the suspects were pre-set at $10,000 and up, according to a news release from the Claiborne County Sheriff.

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by anonymous
on May 3, 2010 at 02:07 AM

I am a teenager in Claiborne County and i can tell you that from personal exsperience, the people who are on these drugs are on them because of something being messed up at home. or at school. some of us do not have the reasourses we need to ezspress ourselves. we feel as if no one is listening to us and we turn to drugs as a way to pay back the people who never listened. I think the adults in our county need to open there ears a little more to what we are saying. who knows, it may save a life.

some of them arent even addicts...some just do it for the money i know from personal experience some arrested on these charges and yes they are going to FL for them and some are prescribed these pills and get family members to sell them for money. they will not learn from it cuz honestly i think a few of them are just too ignorant to do so. they think it is ok and some are bragging since they have gotten out about their charges. how are they to clean up if they dont even wanna do so?

I am sorry but most of these people are addicted and will do anything for their fix. This doesn't make what they are doing right but it also doesn't fix anything(just make good headlines) Get the doctors who are getting rich off of these adicts, and then get these people help with their problem. Not everyone one might want help but how do you know till you try, True this might be the first step but until you get the suppliers it will continue to be a problem for our country. If we don't put a stop to it not only will it effect our peers, and children but soon our grandchildren and their children.

claiborn county cops are just as crooked as the drug dealers. hell david ray i know for fact use to by dope. if they want to go around and bust everyone they need to start taking a look at the people doing the busting first.

WELL IF THESE PPL DIDN'T GO TO ONE DOCTOR THEY WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN ARRESTED. YO PLUS IF THEY DID IT RIGHT THEY WOULD BE FINE I KNOW BECAUSE I HAVE HAD A GREAT PAIN DR HERE AND HAVE HAD A GOOD DOCTOR FOR FIVE YEARS.

Florida does have a data base but up till now everything being sold there is legal. 3 pill mills were raided by DEA in South Florida several days ago. To get an idea how severe the problem is go to Hulu.com and watch a 45 min. documentary titled "The Oxycontin Express." Over 350 people died of overdose in Palm Beach County last year! One doctor is making $40k a week signing off on prescriptions.

In response to "sad about our town": I give you a big AMEN on your posting. In every county he has ever worked in, there has been major trouble concerning him, and then he leaves. I can't believe he's still in Claiborne Co. after what he did. There must have been people in high ranks that owed him favors and he called them in, to be footloose and fancy free much less the sheriff!

Small town America. It is everywhere (DRUGS)... It is affecting our families, friends, co workers, husbands, wives, children, grandchildren and everyone we know. It is everywhere you look.. All to sad.

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